Hello, i'm contemplating upgrading to pro, i'm womdering who uses the hgs is real life? Most of my q400 flying is in North America, i know Jazz uses it, not sure about Porter or United Express, and i think Horizon does?

 

Also, can the hgs be selected on or off depending on what airline you're flying like the NGX?

 

Not related to the HGS, but are the higher frequency/smoother control inputs really noticable?

 

Thanks

  The VC model, with or without the HUD, is selectable in the Control panel. You have to make your selection before you start the sim.

Porter has the upgraded EFIS, and FMS, but I'm not certain if this would include the HGS, as well.

Alaska/Horizon does have the HGS.

 

  regards, Craig

 

 With regards to the new controller interface, I have found flight controls are much smoother. Especially when maneuvering on the ground, and also in the flare,

the control response is much more precise.

 

  regards, Craig

>> With regards to the new controller interface, I have found flight controls are much smoother. Especially when maneuvering on the ground, and also in the flare, the control response is much more precise.<<

 

Agree completely there. It's just a PITA to get it working. Needs a tab in their Control Panel app.

 

Marshall

   Yeah, I agree Hamsammich, it is a pain. Worth the effort in the end, though. Now that the Q Pro is here, Christmas is going to be rather anti-climatic.

 

  Cheers, Craig

 

ps, like your videos of the Q400.

We didn't have the HUD at our company- it's not required for CAT-II in any case. Too much cost for the return on investment (i.e., being able to complete flights). In the northeast US, traffic/ATC delays would outlast the bad weather.  

Regarding HGS use on commercial aircraft, one can check YouTube and find a number of flight deck videos where the use can be seen.

 

Regarding when it's used...

 

The Dash 8 is certified to fly in conditions for which there is very limited visibility, and in the North hemisphere (I don't have any knowledge regarding Southern hemisphere operations) the aircraft is flown in the northern latitudes throughout the year and faces a variety of reduced visibility conditions ranging from fog and heavy rain and snow.  These are the conditions under which one might us a HGS.

 

The HGS can also be used to augment the PFD in regular conditions, or used in visual flight conditions to provide the pilot with increased situational awareness while the pilot is heads up.

 

So the real answer is... when the pilot wants or needs to use it.  I will add that some airlines are bound to have specific guidelines for when the HGS is usable by the pilot.

 

I hope I've answered your question, and I wish  you Happy Flights in this INCREDIBLE aircraft model!

Flybe (who may be the biggest operator of the type) don't even have twin FMS in much of their Q400 fleet! The HGS is only essential for CAT III operations, I think that's the reason less than half of all Q400s built are so equipped.

Thanks everyone!

In Europe the following airlines have their Q400 fleet equipped with HGS:

- Austrian Airlines
- Croatia Airlines
- Luxair

On 21-11-2015 at 8:59 PM, HamSammich said:

Agree completely there. It's just a PITA to get it working. Needs a tab in their Control Panel app.

 

I haven't tried this myself yet (because I think the default controls are smooth enough...) but you might want to give this a try:

http://viaintercity.com/forums/bombardier-dash-8-q400-(dhc-8-402q)/majestic-q400-pro-125hz-controls-config-tool/